NYPD Offers Update on Central Park Explosion Investigation

Reptile8488/iStock/Thinkstock(NEW YORK) -- The New York Police Department is offering a reward for information regarding the July 3 explosion in Central Park that left a teenager seriously injured.

The NYPD says that evidence recovered at the scene of the explosion revealed "traces of substances that may have been used in creating the explosive mixture." Those substances, police say, are legally available for sale in some hardware stores and can be used in combination with other products to create a homemade explosive.

Authorities believe the explosive that went off on July 3 was made by an individual experimenting with these types of products.

The tests showed trace elements of TATP, or triacetone triperoxide, a highly explosive material, ABC New York station WABC-TV reported.

Connor Golden of Fairfax, Virginia, was climbing rocks in the park July 3 with two friends when the explosion occurred, which later resulted in the amputation of his foot.

The NYPD believes the explosive had originally failed to detonate and was discarded, only to be accidentally discovered by Golden.

Lt. Mark Torre said there's no indication the blast was terrorism-related.

"What seems likely at this point is that we have ... an explosive hobbyist or an experimenter," Torre said. "I believe we have somebody that made this material and then he wanted to test it."

Officials said Golden and his two friends are not considered suspects. No camera surveillance has been recovered and detectives are no closer to identifying the suspect.

In a statement, the NYPD offered a $10,000 reward for information that leads to the arrest and indictment of the person(s) involved. They also say that the case remains under investigation.

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